Hey! It's "Open Mike Friday!" Drop a NON PAINTBALL comment on anything that might be on your mind. Keep it G or PG rated and work place friendly. I have a sharp censor pencil so don't expect anything else to get through.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Croydon, England (April 29, 2010) - DYE Precision Ltd. announced today that their UK headquarters were broken into and resulted in the theft of over 150 high-end, tournament grade paintball markers. Most of the paintball guns stolen were NT's and DM10's. The police have been called and a full investigation is underway.

As of the writing of this page, I am not aware of anyone who plays paintball as a profession. While many people do make their livings from the paintball industry, they do not actually play the game for their livelihood - not in the sense that Michael Jordan was a professional basketball player, or Richard Petty was a professional race car driver. While the so-called "Pro" teams certainly are the upper echelon of the paintball playing world, even their tournament circuits do not pay enough for them to all make a living just playing paintball, and most of them have "real" jobs they go back to during the week.

So, here's my question. How do you break paint on this knucklehead? Yes, I said knucklehead. For all you wannabe Marine Recon Snipers does it even cross your mind how this look is going to go over for the other team. Maybe big scenario games have rules for taking out snipers. Someone straighten me out. For rec ball games at the local field - leave the ghillie suit at home.
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Apr 28, 2010

Despite what some people think, not everybody plays speedball where it's just one big slugfest and you don't have time to use a sight. I run into situations all of the time where I get the drop on an opponent and want my first shot to hit the target (especially when using a pump gun). I have been playing this game for a dozen years and have used sights successfully through the whole period.

Apr 27, 2010

Again, this is an attempt to apply firearms principles where they don't necessarily apply. On rifled firearm barrels, more length can equate to more spin, a more stable trajectory, etc. Paintball gun barrels aren't really even barrels in the same sense, and would probably be more properly termed "launch tubes" (which I think Glen Palmer has referred to them as..)

Apr 26, 2010

I've always been a casual observer of golf, even before Tiger came around. Maybe it's the silent intensity of the game that attracts me. Or maybe it's the back story. It seems there is always something going on behind the scenes - maybe a personal triumph or a heartbreaking low point. The road to stardom is often a rough and rocky trail.

Here's a statement that will piss off a lot of people: A Spyder with a good barrel and good paint will shoot every bit as good as a Phantom. How do I know? Because over the past 12 years, I have owned 4 Phantoms and 4 Spyders, not to mention over 30 other assorted pumps and semi-automatics. Being a big fan of pump play, it would be real nice to sit here and say that pumps are more accurate or have more range - but it's just not true.

Apr 24, 2010

You might think feed necks (the piece that sticks up from the top of a paintball gun that holds the hopper) would be a standard size or at least feed tubes (the part that sticks down from the bottom of the hopper and connects to the feed neck) would be a standard size but of course they are not. Hoppers will either fit loose, fit just right but become loose over time or they will not fit at all.

"Clamping" feed necks help. They adjust to fit. But even clamping feed necks vary in how large they open and how small they clamp.

Apr 23, 2010

Sorry for taking so long to post up comments. I have been away from homebase for awhile. I hate having to moderate them but I get dozens of spam comments a day. The comments are much appreciated and very motivating.

There is absolutely no definitive proof that closed-bolt paintball guns offer inherent design advantages over open-bolt guns, but there is plenty of evidence to the contrary. There are a number of theories and reasons why this myth sounds like it should be true, but a lot of those are based on firearms principles which are not necessarily applicable to paintball. The so-called "ball at rest before it's fired" theory would only apply if the gun is fired in a single shot fashion. During rapid firing, the difference, if there was any, would be null. At the same time, firing an open-bolt gun in single shot fashion can also produce better results in both accuracy and range (no shoot-down). What can be said for closed-bolt paintball guns is that they generally operate smoother than open-bolt guns (especially blow-backs) and they are therefore easier to hold on target while firing a successive string of shots. I own both open and closed-bolt guns which use the same barrels, and from my personal observations, using the same barrel and paint, there is no noticeable difference in accuracy.

Apr 22, 2010

Back in the day, Billy Goodman did a lot of paintball writing on his "The Pukin' Dogs Paintball" web site. I don't have much to say about the name of his web site but it does include some pretty interesting stuff. Here's the first installment of his "Paintball Myths" posting.

Better paintball equipment makes a better player

Although many experienced players will be quick to tell you that "it's not the gun, it's the player" it is still a common misconception that to be a better player you have to have better equipment. It is true that better equipment can make a given task easier on a player, but the skill necessary to be a successful player does not come in a box along with a new gun. I once saw a guy go from a Spyder, to an Automag RT, to a Shocker in the course of a few months looking for that "edge" which would let him compete. He incorrectly assumed it was all about how much paint can be shot in the quickest amount of time. He also incorrectly blamed his lack of on-field success on his perceived "inferior" equipment. His problem, however, was that he had only been playing for that same few months. He lacked the experience to know what to do in certain situations, to know how to read the field, to know when and how to move, and to know how to work with his teammates in an effective manner. I don't think he plays anymore.

Apr 21, 2010

68Caliber strives to maintain fairness. Two companies having a private squabble may be news - but is the situation helped any by informing the partisan players and having the web forums explode with pages and pages of hater-flame-war BS? Very often, I think not. I'd much rather print the story of how the two companies resolved their differences and are now moving forward, instead of printing stuff that might just complicate the matter.

Sticking to the above sense of balanced reporting is another reason why you might not see a story on 68Caliber. 68Caliber is duty-bound to get both sides of a story and that might not always be possible. We've been talking to person A (who is quite eager to get their slant on the story out in public), but we can't get person B to talk to us.

Apr 20, 2010

Not too long ago, there was a video rental store on nearly every main street in. It is now a well-known fact that the vast majority of those businesses made their profit not from renting Disney flicks or the latest action-adventure blockbuster, but from renting X-rated films out of the little room in the back - the one behind the curtain with the sign over it that said Adults Only.

This was a fact of the business and any independent video store that wasn't renting porn quickly found themselves out of business.

In some respects, paintball operates (or should operate) in a similar fashion. Those successful video stores did NOT put posters of Debbie Does Dallas or Jenna Jamison in their front windows.,They'd have been run out of town if they did (and probably prosecuted and jailed). What did they do? They put posters for Disney movies in their front windows.

Because Disney promotions are appealing, attractive and appropriate for the WIDEST possible audience. Dad can always come back later to visit the little room in the back. In the meantime, he can bring the kids in the front door.

What paintball should be doing is approaching the more intense, serious forms of play - the involvements with the game that require spending lots of money, committing lots of time - as our version of the X-Rated film. It's where we make most of our profit (sponsorship issues not-withstanding) - but it isn't the Disney poster that is going to get the family in the front door. (Dad can always come back later.) Family play, rec play, slower versions of the game, less shooting versions of the game are our equivalent of Disney movies.

Put bluntly (I'm supposedly famous for my bluntness): you will get more business if your customer's kids didn't spend all that much money and didn't come home covered with welts and complaining about being out-gunned from their first outing. If the first words out of your new customer's mouths are not "I had a great time!" you are doing something wrong. And maybe, just maybe, what you are doing wrong is making them play against tournament-wannabe paint slingers toting twelve hundred dollar guns and two thousand dollars worth of other necessary equipment. Who spend a hundred bucks or more on paint every outing. And who tell the newbies that if they want to really be a PLAYA, they are going to need to play every weekend, buy expensive gear and shoot lots of paint. Which just ain't so.

I'm almost done.

I can hear you: but there aren't enough players to make for a good game if the newbies don't play against the regulars. In most cases you're right. But saying that - even if you are correct - is not a solution. All you've done is state the problem. What you now need to do is shut up and figure out a solution. Maybe, just maybe, you can turn to your regular customers and explain to them that making sure the newbies have a good time is - the only way you can guarantee THEM good games in the future. (After all, these are the players that you give breaks to, cut deals with, the ones you spend money on.)

Apr 19, 2010

When I first came on board with 68Caliber there were two things that I wanted to do: first, I wanted to make the company profitable through its advertising program. This was accomplished inside of my first year; the site went from 0 advertising revenue to a pretty decent amount. That has varied over the years depending on the industry climate, but the company has remained profitable over the years.

The second thing I wanted to do was to introduce strict guidelines for the type(s) of materials that the website published.

I didn't mention it earlier, but I have a degree in English Literature and spent quite a good number of years working on newspapers in high school and in college. In later years, I worked as an editor for Paintball News; I'd also written a large number of reviews (product and events) for the various magazines (Paintball Sports, PaintCheck, Paintball News, APG, Paintball, PGI).

Hi! My name is Steve Davidson and I own and edit the paintball news and information website - 68Caliber.

Mick asked for some guest bloggers for the T-Square blog and, being the community-oriented fellow that I am - the kind of guy who is always more than willing to help out a fellow paintballer or paintball website - entirely out of the goodness of my heart and in recognition of the fact that those who give also receive (and not entirely unmindful of the fact that not all of the T-Square audience is 68Caliber's audience and just might be enticed to pay a visit to my site after reading about it here) - I volunteered to put pen to paper. Or keys to keyboard. Or something.

I'll dispense with the horn-tooting for now and get right down to some facts:

I've been involved with paintball since 1983 (yep, 27 years) and have had a long and varied career in the industry since I left my real job at AT&T back in the early 90s.

At the time, I was writing for most of the print publications and I worked with Gino Postorivo and NPS to produce the first-ever industry publication - Paintball Retailer.

Sadly, PR was ahead of its time and only lasted three issues (two of which were published).

I've also been heavily involved in the tournament scene over the years - founding the NPPL in 1992, creating the format that would become X-Ball (premiered at a tournament in 2000 called PaintFest - the first and only paintball event to offer a Million dollar prize), writing a lot of the rule books for various leagues, developing the team seating and ranking systems, and, of course, playing, both on field and coaching. I'm also proud to say that the readers of PGI Magazine voted me in as a Top 100 Player of All Time at the turn of the millennium (which basically means I'm a master of old school, lol).

Hey! It's "Open Mike Friday!" Drop a NON PAINTBALL comment on anything that might be on your mind. Keep it G or PG rated and work place friendly. I have a sharp censor pencil so don't expect anything else to get through.

Apr 15, 2010

Someone asked me recently what I blog about on my paintball blog. I pushed back the urge to go for the obvious sarcastic answer and went with, "I blog about all the stuff that's not covered in the paintball tournament/scenario competition blogs."

"What else is there?" was his serious retort.

Heavy sigh...

While the paintball media (TV, Blogs, Forums, Podcasts, Web Pages, etc.) is all about the next competition field layout, tournament ready marker or who just jumped from what team to another, ninety six percent of the "real world" of paintball is being played out all across the world on small fields in small towns.

Granted, it would be nice to be able to skip the pond and report back on the Millennium series or hob knob in the VIP tents at major events with the paintball glamoratti but someone needs to stay home, mind the store and see to it that the future of paintball is looked after.

It's a heavy burden and a thankless responsibility but someone has to do it. (sarcasm on) I guess that's why the industry skews all the profit margin my way - so I can make all the big bucks. (sarcasm off)

Apr 14, 2010

For many different reasons there will never be many female paintball players. There are many that come out with the birthday parties and church groups but not many come back on their own to play. Richelle over at Tri-State Paintball is doing her part to welcome more females. Check out her "Pink Paint" posts here. While you are there pay notice to her and her husband's attempt to revive paintball in their area by forming a club and working with the local field owner.
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Some kids cry quicker than others. Get over it. I'll refrain from using the term "cry baby," so as to not aggravate the situation but that's just how it is.

No the gun used to "assault" your child was not shooting faster than your son's marker. No, the other player was not intentionally shooting at your son's head. And, no, I don't care that you decided to drag your kid off, leaving in a huff, shouting for all to hear, "We will never come back."

Some kids cry quicker than others. And kids cry for many different reasons. Some kids cry because they know it will bring them attention from their over protective parents. And yeah, some kids cry when a paintball bounces off the top of their head because it hurts like hell. Some cry like banshees and never want to play again (four in fifteen years of operation). Some cry for a bit, sit out a game and come right back (about a dozen over the years).

I've taken a few licks that have brought a tear or two to my eyes. What I have to say may not be PC or good for business but I'll say it anyway.

Apr 13, 2010

This is the 1000th post since starting this blog on February 5, 2005 - just in case anyone lost count or was wondering. 1000th is kind of hard to say. I was at Bristol last year when my racing hero, Mark Martin, ran is 1000th NASCAR race. I imagine meeting him some day and telling him, "I saw your one thousandthththth race."

Still looking for my first guest blogger. Here are a few paintball topics/ideas to consider:

Sell me on tournaments.
A product review.
Your best paintball experience.
Your worst.
How would you run a paintball field?

Drop me something at tsp8ntball@aol.com. Include a short bio - age, how long have you played, where do you play, etc. I promise to go easy on the editing. Have your views seen by 1000's, ummm, 10's of paintball fans. Fame and fortune awaits.

Apr 12, 2010

"13 Feet Tall" came through with a flurry of comments this weekend. A clear attempt to take command of the top of the "Top Commentator" leader board (Common Tater! Now that's funny.) It's always good to read everyone's thoughts - good or bad (Not so much the indifferent thoughts. (Can you actually read indifferent thoughts? (Are not indifferent thoughts, by definition thoughts that are not expressed? Hmmmmmm?)))

But I digress.

I challenged myself awhile back to post something here everyday - mostly to vent, in part to inform and entertain and largely as a way to add discipline and practice to my writing skills. I've worked myself into a frenzy more than a few times trying to punch through bouts of writer's block. I missed a couple of posts recently. I learned, much to my relief (and small blow to my ego) that the world doesn't stop if I slack off from time to time.

This started out as a private place for me to piss and moan. Now I find myself thrilled to find a new follower or a new comment. You keep me motivated. "And that's a good thing," as my pseudo mother mentor and former prison inmate, Martha Stewart, likes to say.

Apr 8, 2010

I have a small concession here at the field where, along with hot dogs, I sell bottled water, Gatorade, canned soda and assorted snacks. To keep it simple everything is priced the same - 75 cents. After running to Sam's and Walmart, stacking and storing, refrigerating and cooking, preparing and re-stocking and cleaning up afterward I figure I'm making a few cents on each item.

Here's the question:

Would you pay a dollar for these items? Should I charge convenient store prices or just break even, as in providing the food as an amenity for the players?

Apr 7, 2010

Last week I offered up this challenge and either it was to hard or no body paid any attention to the post (I figure the later). This is an eye in the sky view of the famous Tippmann Castle at Skirmish in Pennsylvania.

What's a bird's eye view of a paintball castle got to do with anything?

Keep in mind, if it's hard hitting tournament news or press release gun reviews you are looking for this is not the blog for you. But if you're interested in a behind the scenes look at operating a field and store or just want to share in the lighter side of the sport we all enjoy then come again, my friend. Hit the RSS link and/or join the followers. It's always news, info and attitude here at the T2 Paintball Paintblog.

Apr 5, 2010

Don't hop the security cable on Monday when there is a sign that says I'm closed on Monday, beg me to open up the shop (that has another sign on the door that says I am closed on Monday) and then take an hour and a half trying to shave a few dollars off the gun you finally decide you want to buy. First of all, in many counties here in Arkansas, hoping a security cable marked "No Trespassing" is liable to get you shot. Good thing I'm not real mean and grumpy, eh!" And second, my prices are so low there is no wiggle room at all.

Apr 3, 2010

Both of the round, spherical (not the quarter), colorful items in the picture above started out life as a 68 caliber paintball. The one on the right is fresh out of the box. The one on the left has been outside, on the ground and collecting moisture for three days.

Pull the trigger on the ball on the right and it will rocket down the barrel as it is supposed to. The one on the left will not. In fact, it won't even pass through the hopper feed neck.

It's too big!

Duh!

Even someone with just a minimum understanding of the "round-peg-in-a-square-hole" concept, or in this case the "large-round-object-through-a-small-hole concept, should be able to figure this one out.

Yet every weekend someone (both youngsters and adults) will scoop big balls off the ground, put them in their hopper and then wonder why their gun fires but no balls come out.

I use to go up to them and clear the gun, remove the offending big balls from the hopper, and then explain why it's not a good idea to try and recycle paintballs.

Here lately I clear the gun, explaining why it's not a good idea to recycle paintballs from the ground and then hand the gun back saying, "If the gun stops working because of big balls again you are on your own."

In most cases they figure it out and I'll see them hunkered down behind a bunker clearing the remaining big balls from the hopper. Sometimes they remain clueless and spend the rest of the day dry firing and wondering why everyone else is using way more paint than they are.

I've promised myself I would show more patience this year. After all, I can't expect players to know ALL of the intricacies of paintball.

Hey! It's "Open Mike Friday!" Drop a NON PAINTBALL comment on anything that might be on your mind. Keep it G or PG rated and work place friendly. I have a sharp censor pencil so don't expect anything else to get through.

Apr 1, 2010

This grumpy field owner doesn't have much of a sense of humor when it comes to April Fools jokes. Maybe cause I'm so naive and always fall for them. I remember, when I was first starting out, there was a manufacturer/supplier that made a habit of announcing some amazing new product every year about this time. One time, and only one time, I got caught up in the hype and placed a call hoping to be the first in line to order. For the life of me I can't remember who the prankster was or what the supposed product was. Nothing like egg on the face.
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From around the net...

OH NO, you didn't just say THAT!

"A billion-dollar company tried to steal my identity, and I was able to fight and regain my identity. That's why I'm on cloud nine; I fought the giant and I'm a success story against Activision." (Greg Hastings)

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Yakity yak.... 3 shot rulz... take 3 shots at my field and take a break. what's the hurry? who ya tryin to impress? this aint no freak show! why waste paint? can't hit em with three? throw three more. can't hit em with them? go fishin~ (me, on Facebook)

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Yes, I know Steve Davidson found the property that was the site of the first ever paintball game. No, I don't care. (Dale from the Ford Report)

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"How is paintball like golf? Golf is played outdoors on nice, well kept grass or, if something goes horribly wrong, off in the woods. Same with paintball." (Baca Loco)